Method of pumping air or other fluid.



T. WIEDEMANN & J. H. TEMPLIN.

METHOD OF PUMPING AIR OR OTHER FLUID.

APPLICATION IILBD BEPT.9,1909.

956,839. Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES lllvillTll ll -S wmmz w:

T. WIEDEMANN & J. H. TEMPLIN.

METHOD OF PUMPING AIR OR OTHER FLUID.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 9, 1909.

Patented Mi ly 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTUBIIE WITNESSES 2 T. WIEDEMANN & J. H. TEMPLIN.

METHOD OF PUMPING AIR OR OTHER FLUID.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.9, 1909.

956,839. Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-$11M?! 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE WIEDEMANN AND JOSEPH H. TEMPLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS TO KELLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD OF I'UMIIPING AIR OR OTHER FLUID.

Patented May 3, 1910.-

Application filed September 9, 1909. Serial No. 516,942. a

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, THEODORE WIEDE- MANN and Josarn H. TEMPLIN, citizens of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method of Pumping Air or other Fluid, of

P which the following is a specification.

Our present invention relates to a novel method of pumping air or other fluid which is especially adapted to be employed in conjunction with cleaning devices of the vacuum and other types, although as will be evident to those skilled in this art, it is not limited to use in conjunction wit-h such devices but may be employed in connectionwith any suitable mechanism wherein a pumping mechanism is employed.

Our invention in its broad aspects consists of a novel method of pumping wherein the pump chamber isfprovided with an auxiliary or clearance chamber which, in carrying out our method, produces novel and very advantageous results and in order to show a construction in which our novel method can be advantageously carried out we have preferred to show the same in conjunction with a vacuum cleaning machine of the portable type which may be readily transportedand which is well ada ted for use in private houses and other aces.

Our invention urther consists of a novel method of pumping wherein an auxiliary chamber, w ich we have termed a clearance chamber, cooperates with the pumping chamber to automatically limit the maximum vacuum of the machine in order to prevent the machine from stalling when the vacuum becomes too high. 1

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping, wherein an auxiliary chamber cooperates with the pump to reduce the power required after a predetermined oint in vacuum is reached, thereby decreasmg the cost of power required to operate the pump, relieving the load on the motor, decreasing the tendercy of the motor to heat, and permitting the continuous operation of the machine under all conditions arising in practice without stalling or overheating the motor, which is a very difficult thing to provide for in a small portable electric vacuum cleaner operating under varying conditions of load, since the suctfon nozzle communicating with the pump inlet is sometimes entirely closed, while at other times it is entirely open. By the em loyment of an auxiliary or clearance cham er cooperating with the pump, we are enabled to construct a portable vacuum cleanerwhich is readily attachable to an ordinary lamp socket and which will, when in operation, come within the limit 'in consumption of current as required by the insurance underwriters. If provision were not made for decreasing the consumption of electric current when the point of maximum vacuum is reached the consumption of electric current would be increased to such an extent that the limit set by the insurance underwriters would be greatly exceeded and the wiring s stem of the buildin be reatly amaged.

ur invention further consists of a novel method of pum ing wherein an auxiliary chamber. is provided which cohperates with the pumping chamber so that the maximum vacuum is automatically limited without the employment of an auxiliary device of any kind, thus providing a simple, sure and inexpensive method of insuring continuous operationof the machine.

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping wherein an auxiliary chamber cooperating with the pumping chamber is provided, so that the maximum vacuum is automatically limited at a predetermined pressure in such a manner that the point of vacuum, as fixed and determined at the factor cannot afterward be modified or change by those inexperienced in the use of the machine, thereby avoiding the usual trouble incidental to the abuse and misuse of auxiliary devices.

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping, wherein an auxiliary chamber cooperates with the pumping chamber to provide means for automatically limiting the maximum vacuum at a predetermined pressure without the use of auxiliary devices, thereby enabling us to provide a pumpingchamber which in itself is adjustable to varying and irregular loads owing to the elasticity'of the air contained in the auxiliary chamber and cotiperatin with the and the building itse f would pumping chamber without sub ecting the machine to irregular strains. Furthermore at the point of maximum vacuum the load on the motor is relieved and the machine operates with less consumption of electricity conditions in which the suction nozzle is a closed at the point of maximum vacuumfor minimum consumption of current and load while by the use of any auxiliary devices the operation of the machine at all times without such conditions would be at maximum consumption and maximum load.

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping, wherein fluid is drawn into a vacuum chamber of relatively large area, thence to an auxiliary chamber cooperating with. the pump chamber, then to the pumping chamber, thence to a pressure chamber of relatively large area, and thence discharged to the atmosphere.

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping wherein an auxiliary chamber is provided either within the pump cylinder itself or connected thereto in any desired manner so as to cooperate therewith.

Our invention further consists of a novel method of pumping wherein a relatively lar vacuum with restricted port area is malntained on one side of the pumping mechanism and a relatively large pressure area under restricted port area is maintained on the other side of the pumping mechanism.

In our prior pending application, filed May 3, 1909, Serial No. 493,724, we have de-. .scribed and broadly claimed one form of an apparatus wherein our novel method may be carried out, although as is evident, our method is not limited to use in conjunction with such a construction but maybe carried outin various other types of pumping mechanism.

For the purpose of illustrating our method we have shown a construction conforming to that shown in our pending application, since the same gives marked advantages in practice and has gone into extensive use.

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view of one type of a vacuum ump wherein our novel method may. be a vantageously carried out. Fig. 2 represents a section on substantially the line'Z'-Z, ,Fig. 1, showing the pumping mechanism and one side of the actuating mechanism therefor. Fig. 3 represents a section through the pumping mechanism showing the position that the lower or discharge valvular elements assume and through the upper section of the lower diaphragm and its adjuncts. Fig. 4 represents a sectional view of'the pumping mechanism showin the position that the upper section or inct valvular elements assume during the upward movement of the lower diaphragm and its adjuncts. Fig. 5represents a section on line yy, ,of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 represents a section on line 2-2, of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents, on a reduced scale, nartly broken away, a section on line z--z, ig. 1.

seas-s9 Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings: In order to clearly set forth our novel method we will first describe in detail the construction shown in the drawing and then the manner in which our method is carried out.

1 designates a novel construction of a vacuum cleaner apparatus, the same comprising the base' portionv2, the latter having the downwardly projecting or flaring flange 3 and the upwardly extendingflange 1, upon which latter rests the top ring 5, the latter havingthe downwardly projecting ortion 6 and the upper projecting member which latter is provided with the shoulder 8 upon which rests theouter wall or'casing 9, which latter in the present instance is preferably round or cylindrical.

10 designates a ring secured to the upper portion of the casing, said ring being provided with the slotted in s 11 having the bolts '12 pivoted therein, t e upper ends of said bolts being preferably apertured and provided with thumb nuts 13, it being understood that the rings 5 and 10 are in practice secured fast on the shell or casing 9 so as to be removed in unison therewith.

14 designates slotted lugs or ears secured in the resent instance to the lower ortion of the ase or bed member 2, said ugs or ears being arranged preferably diagonally therein the bolts 15, whose upper ends are threaded and provided with the thumb nuts 16,- said bolts being adapted to pass through the slotted cars 17 which are preferably locked on the ring 5 so that by manipulating the thumb nut 16 the bolt 15 can be readily engaged with or disengaged. from the lugs 17, it being a parent that by the employment of such astening devices at the upper and lower ortions of the casing the latter can be rea 1ly disconnected from" its base accordin to requirements, while the upper portion of disconnected from the top or cover 18, as is evident, the latter being provided with the angular brackets which terminate in the slotted ears 20 which are adapted for the reception of the bolts 12.

21 designates a handle which has its extremities preferably secured to the upwardly extending parts of the brackets 19, said handle being preferably of suflicient length so that when it is desired to transport the apparatus from one apartment or room to another the handle can be readily graspedby two people if necessary. In order that the upper compartment which we term the vacuum chamber or reservoir 22 may be made air and dust tight we place in the under side of the cover 18 a groove 23 in which is located an annular ring, packing or gasket 24, the latter being adapted to rest upon the the casing can be readily top of the flange 25 of the inner dust bag 26, the under side of said flange resting upon the annular ring, packing or gasket 27 which is mounted in a recess in the upper portion of the ring 10, whereupon it will be seen that when the thumb nuts 13 are tightened the flange 25 will be tightly held between said packin rings 24 and 27. The manner of removab y mounting the cover 18 on the flange 25 of the inner dust bag and the top of the casing 9 is apparent from 1.

The inner dust bag 26 is constructed of any suitable fabric having sides 28, as indicated, and the bottom portions 29, the upper extremity of said sides 28 being secured to the annular portion 30 by means of the wire or other equivalent fastening devices 31.

The hose, to which the suction nozzle is secured, enters the machine through the conduit for the dust laden air, which has its inlet opening 34 suitably adapted for the reception of one end of the suction hose, the current of dust-laden air passing from the passage 33 into the bowl or depression in which the direction of the current of air is changed and which has an opening 35 therein through which the dust-laden current of air is drawn into contact with the inner bag or separator 26.

36 designates a plate of transparent material which is seated within the recess 37 and held in position by the ring or equivalent fastening device 38, the current of dustladen air after passing through the outlet 35 and into the filtering device 36, whose construction and manner of removal has already been described, passing thence through the outer filtering bag 3.) which is composed of sides and the bottom portion 40, the upper sides of said'outer bags being connected to or reinforced by the ring 41, which has frictional engagement with the casing.

42 designates a perforated plate preferably of somewhat less diameter than the casing 9, said plate being mounted above or supported on the wings 43, the latter being contalned 111 or resting upon the pan formed by the plate 44 and the upwardly extending flange 45, said .plate 44 resting upon the ring or packing 46. 4

47 designates an opening in the plate 44 which communicates with the opening 48 leading to the pumping apparatus proper 49, it. being noted that the latter is located between the vacuum reservoir 22 and what we term the pressure chamber 50.

The pumping apparatus 49 comprises a top plate 5l which terminates in the flanges 52 which rest u ion the frame 53, which latter is supporte in any suitable manner, in the present instance upon the upper extremities of the posts 54, the lower extremities of the latter being supported upon the bosses 55 ortheirequivalents which may be located on or in proximity to the .base of the apparatus.

outer ates a diaphragm which has its eriphery secured between the flanges 53 and 52, it being apparent that the same bolts or fastening devices 57 which serve to hold the flanges 53 and 52 in juxtaposition also hold the outer periphery of the diaphragm 56in proper position, as will be more clearly understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 and also Figs. 2, 5 and 6. The diaphragm 56 is provided with a series of ports or openings 58 therethrough, which are arranged in staggered order with respect to the ports or open ngs 59 of the plate or diaphragm 60, which latter is located above said diaphragm 56 and is held in position with respect thereto by means of the bolts or equivalent devices 61 and the inner or central fastening devices 62.

63 designates arms which are secured to the ring or frame 64, the latter being secured to the diaphra ms 56 and 60 by means of the fastening evices 61 before described, said arms 63 being secured to the heads 65 of the connecting rods 66, which latter terminate in the eccentric strap 67, it being noted that said eccentric strap, connecting rod and head are preferably made integral or in-one piece.

68 designates an eccentric, by means of which the eccentric strap and connecting rod are actuated, suitable ball bearings being located between said strap and eccentric, the latter being rotated by the shaft 70 which is actuated by the motor 71. In the present instance we preferably employ an electric motor, since the same is readily capable of being attached to electric light fixtures of the usual construction.

'It will be noted that we employ two eccentric straps, connecting rods and their adjuncts, as will be apparent from Fig. 1, although it is evident that a single eccentric strap and connecting rod may be employed, if desired. It will also be seen that we have a direct connection between each eccentric and the diaphragm 56.

As seen most clearly in Figs. 1 to 4 in-. elusive, a pum ing chamber 72 of suitable area is formed etween the plate or member 51 and the diaphragm 56, such chamber extending nearly across the casin of the apparatus, the upper portion of the pumping mechanism being rovided with the upper diaphragms 73 and 74, whose outer peripheries are held in position by means of the rings or frames 75 having the fastening devices 7 6 passin therethrough, the center portions of sai diaphragms being held in 56 design ppsition by means of the fastening device 1-25 vided with an exhaust port 80 preferably of restricted area, as will be understood'by reference to Fig. 2, in order that the ma chine may be used for blowing air and in order that the exhaustair may be employed to cool the motor.

81 designates an auxiliary or clearance chamber shown in the drawings as forming a part of the pumping chamber, although in many cases arising in practice the auxiliary chamber 81 is entirely separate from but connected with the pumping chamber.

In the operation, the motor iscOnnected by means of a suitable conductor with an ordinary electric light fixture or other source of electricity, whereby the shaft 70 is ro tated and the connecting .rods 66 are rapidly reciprocated.

When the parts assume the position seen in Fig. 4 it will be seen that as the connecting rods move outwardly the diaphragm 56 will be lowered and the diaphragm 73 will be drawn downwardly, thereby causing the dust-laden air entering the suction nozzle to pass through the hose and the inlet 34 thence through the conduit 33 into the bowl 32, in which the condition of dust-laden air may be observed owing to the provision of the transparent cover 36 therefor. The dustladen air then passes into the vacuum reservoir 22 in which a substantially constant vacuum is at all times maintained, whereby the pressure on opposite sides of the filtering devices will be substantially constant so that the air will be drawn through at a comparatively slow speed and all of the dust,

dirt and foreign material carried by the air will be separated therefrom and the air in its purified condition will pass through the openings 47 and 48 and thence through the ports 79 and 78 into the auxiliary or clearance chamber 81, which cooperates with the pump chamber 72, in the present instance shown as forming a part thereof, although in practice the auxiliary chamber 81 may be, if desired, entirely separate from the pumping chamber 72. As the connecting rods 54 move upwardly from the position seen in Fig. 4 into the position seen in Fig. 3, it will be seen that the diaphragm 56 will assume the position seen in Fig. 3 whereupon air passes from the pumping chamber 7 2 through the ports 60 and 58 into the pressure chamber 50 and thence through the exhaust port 80 to the atmosphere or a desired point of utilization.

In ractice motors of the character employe in our construction run at a very rapid rate, a proximately fifteen hundred to two thousan revolutions per minute, and'in some cases in practice very much higher, from which it will be seen that the rapid reciprocations of the diaphragm 56 will, when the auxiliary chamber 80 is properly proportioned with respect to the pumping chamber 72, through the co-action of the valves,. cause a current of dust-laden air to bedrawn into the inlet 34 and that the direction of the current will be changed by its contact with the wallsof the chamber 32, so that the condition of the dust-laden air can be readily observed through the transparent member 36, the dust-laden air being freed from its impurities by the filtering mechanism comprising, in the illustration shown, the inner and outer filtering bag, it beingapparent that the latter may be readlly removed when desired by the simple removal of the cover 18.

The motor and the pumping mechanism are readily accessible for inspection when dc sired by actuating the thumb nut 16,. whereupon the casing together with the filtering mechanism may be bodily removed.

In practice the casing is preferably provided with side handles and rollers or casters in order to facilitate its ready removal from one place to another.

In carrying out our novel method of pumping, an equillbrium of pressure is maintained in the pump, since when the pump has reduced the vacuum in the vacuum chamber to the point of equilibrium the clearance or auxiliary chamber maintains su'ch equilibrium owing to the fact that when the point is reached where the air in the suction chamber and the air in the pump attains the same 1 vacuum and the point of equilibrium the valves of the pump cease to operate and the clearance or auxiliary chamber of the pump chamber maintains the equilibrium. This condition arises in practice when the load at the inlet port varies so that in our novel device when the point of-maximum vacuum for which the machine is designed has been reached in the vacuum chamber, the auxiliary or clearance chamber of the pump will maintain an equilibrium of pressure so that the motor will be automatically released at the point of maximum vacuum'and a less amount of current will be consumed, since the moving parts of the pumping mechanism reciprocate against an elastic air cushion, thereby eliminating the liability of the motor becoming overheated or the machine stopping, owing to the increase in the load at the pumping inlet or the suction nozzle connected therewith.

It will thus be seen that in our novel method owing to the manner in which the auxiliary or clearance chamber cooperates with the pumping chamber, the maximum vacuum of the machine is automatically limited. a

It is further to be noted that in our novel method of pumping a considerable vacuum space is maintained on one side of the pumping mechanism. and a considerable pressure space is employed on the opposite side of t e pumping chamber and an auxiliary chamber is provided communicating with the vacuum space and the umping chamber.

v a very complete and reliable manner by emopen. and the motor and the ploying in the vacuum reservoir a filtering device so that the pressure on the opposite sides of the filter is substantially the same, thereby devising a method of pumping and filtering, wherein the air passes through the filter at a very slow rate of speed, so that all of the impurities carried by the air in the shape of dust and foreign material is. removed therefrom in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the machine and the air in its purified condition discharged into the room or place wherein the g machine is being operated or'the exhaust air employed for b poses.

It will now be clear to those skilled in this art that when the pump inlet .34 is entirely ump are operating, that a'predetermine vacu m will be malntained in the vacuum chamber. As soon, however, as the pumping inlet is partially or wholly closed, due to variation of load at the suction nozzle which is operatively connected with the pump inlet, the

wing or other desired 'purvacuum within the vacuum chamber will gradually increase to the point of maximum.

vacuum for whichithe machine is designed,

pumping chamber. If the but the vacuum will never increase beyond the. point of predetermined maximum vacuum, owing to the provision of the auxiliary chamber 81, which cooperates with the ump inletis wholly closed, as the -movab e member'of the pumping mechanism reaches the end of its outer stroke, a balance of pressure will be maintained 'm the vacuum chamber and the auxiliary chamber at the point of maximum vacuum, since the air within the auxiliary chamberwill be stretchedto the point of maximum vacuum and on the return,

I stroke of the movable member of the pump- 'ing mechanism the air in the auxiliary chamber will be returned to atmospheric pressure so that the valve intermediate the vacuum chamberand the auxiliary cham-- her will remain closed and the vacuum within the vacuum chamber will remaln the same. It will thus be seen that. when the point of maximum vacuum is reached the movable member of the umping mechanism simply moves rearwar y against an elastic air cushionand the valves of the umpin mechanism will not open, there y enab 'ng us to devise a construction wherein the motor is relieved of its load at the point of maximum vacuum, and wherein it is impossible to. increase the vacuum in the vacuum chamber above the predetermined maximum vacuum of the machine.

By the employment of our novel method taining a vacuum which is variable when the load varies, which consists in exhausting air from a vacuum'space by producing alternately higher andlower pressure in a given space, and in limitingthe lowest pressure in said given space by the amount of space it contains. I

' 2. The method of producin and maintaining a variable vacuum, w ich consists in exhausting air from the .vacuum space by producin alternately higher and lower pressure wit in a given space, separating the impurities from the air in ,the vacuum space, and in limitingthe lowest pressure in said given space by the amount of space which it contains. I 3. The method of pumping from a vacuum space to a pressure space, which consists in exhausting air from the vacuum.

space by means ofa member having a to and v fro motion, discharging said air into a confined pressure space tOWhIOh said membe'ri is immediately and freely ex osed, and then utilizing the pressure in sai pressure space to aid 1n imparting to said member its return movement.

4. The method of producing and maintainin a vacuum varying in accordance with t e. load at the inlet to the vacuum 5 ace, which consists in exhausting air from t evacuum space by producin alternately higher and lower pressure wit in a given space, and in limiting the lowest pressure in said given s ace by the amount of space which it contains, and thereby unload the motive power for the air exhausting element at a point of predetermined load.

THEODORE WIEDEMANN. JOSEPH H. TEMPLIN.

Witnesses: H. S. FAIRBANKS, O. D. MoVAx. 

